Scope clause freeze pushes E175-E2 back to 2021

Embraer has delayed entry into service for the E175-E2 by one year, as recent scope clause agreements with US pilots union leave in place a ban on the type.

The first E175-E2 will now be delivered in 2021 instead of 2020, Embraer says in a material fact released on 1 December.

Embraer launched the 80-passenger E175-E2 in 2013 with the larger and heavier Pratt & Whitney PW1700G geared turbofan engines, along with a new and more efficient wing.

But the second-generation E-Jet exceeds the maximum weight limit for regional aircraft under current scope clause agreements between pilots and US carriers.

Embraer will continue producing the first generation, 76-seat E175 for another year - even as the E190-E2 enters service on schedule in the first half of 2018 and the E195-E2 follows in 2019.

The first-generation E175 has a firm order backlog of 120 aircraft, according to Flight’s Fleet Analyzer.

The E175-E2 has a backlog for 100 aircraft orders, all placed by US regional carrier SkyWest, the Analyzer shows.

As a result, the E175 will compete for orders in the scope clause-restricted US market for another year directly with the Bombardier CRJ900, another 76-seat aircraft that fits within the US scope clause weight limits.